About the song
If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot is a song that has resonated with listeners for decades. Its poignant lyrics and haunting melody have made it a favorite of many, and it has been covered by numerous artists.
The song was written by Lightfoot in 1970, and it was released on his album Sit Down Young Stranger. It quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Canadian Singles Chart and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has also been successful in other countries, charting in the top 20 in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.
“If You Could Read My Mind” is a song about the difficulty of communication and the longing for understanding. The lyrics are full of metaphors and imagery, and they paint a vivid picture of the frustration and loneliness that can come from being misunderstood. The song’s melody is also very memorable, and it helps to carry the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, and Cher. However, Lightfoot’s version remains the definitive one, and it is the one that is most closely associated with the song.
“If You Could Read My Mind” is a classic song that has stood the test of time. Its lyrics are still relevant today, and its melody is still beautiful. The song is a reminder of the importance of communication and understanding, and it is a song that will continue to be enjoyed by listeners for many years to come.
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Lyrics
If you could read my mind, love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as I’m a ghost, you can’t see
If I could read your mind, love
What a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel
The kind the drugstore sells
When you reach the part where the heartaches come
The hero would be me
But heroes often fail
And you won’t read that book again
Because the ending’s just too hard to take
I’d walk away like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script
Enter number two, a movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me
But for now love, let’s be real
I never thought I could act this way
And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it
I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feeling’s gone and I just can’t get it back
If you could read my mind, love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
But stories always end
And if you read between the lines
You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand
The feelings that you lack
I never thought I could feel this way
And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it
I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feeling’s gone
And I just can’t get it back